Mishima`s Log-Sawing Event Attracted Many Visitors to the

Vol. 275
April
2014
International Affairs Division, Nagaoka City Office
2-2-6 Ôte Street, Nagaoka City Phone: 0258-39-2207 Fax: 0258-39-2280
E-mail: [email protected]
URL: http://www.city.nagaoka.niigata.jp/（長岡市ウェブサイト）→
English (Nagaoka International Affairs Center) →
地球広場 (International Affairs Center) → Konnichiwa Nagaoka
Mishima’s Log-Sawing Event
(One of Nagaoka’s Cultural Treasures)
Attracted Many Visitors to
the Nagaoka Booth during
the Honolulu Festival
The National Log-Sawing Competition is held
annually in the Mishima District. A mini-version of
the competition, held in Honolulu on March 8th and
9 th, drew 300 contestants who tried to saw through a
locally prepared log (much thinner than Mishima’s)
with a large saw taken to Honolulu from Mishima.
Population and Households
As of March 1, 2014
(compared to the previous month)
280,510
136,852
143,658
103,655
（−199）
（−70）
（−129）
（−8）
Major Features:
“Saiwai Plaza” Will Open-------------------------------- p. 2
Nagaoka’s Fireworks Display in Honolulu------------- p. 2
Priority Tickets for the 2014 Nagaoka Grand Fireworks Show---- p. 3
Japanese Proficiency Tests in 2014---------------------- p. 4
A Guide to Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots-------- pp. 6-7
Cancer Risk Examinations Recommended------------- p. 8
Major Emergency Medical Facilities------------------- p. 8
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“Saiwai Plaza” Will Open on Tuesday, April 29 th (National Holiday)
The remodeling of the former City Hall in Saiwaichô was completed. It is now equipped with earthquakeresistance devices and barrier-free structures. A variety
of opening events for the newly named “Saiwai Plaza”
building are scheduled to be held on Tuesday, April 29th.
Everyone is welcome to visit Saiwai Plaza, which will
provide citizens with various opportunities for learning
and maintaining good health.
Tuesday, April 29 th
Opening Ceremony 12:40 p.m.
Saiwai Plaza Opening Events 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
* “Enthusiasm, Excitement, and Building Dreams” Educational Project
* A performance of large-scale calligraphy
* Playing with alpacas from Yamakoshi
* A mini-aquarium
* Free health check-ups
* Kome Hyappyô Bookmobile
* Many others
Special Displays:
* An 8-meter long replica of a kaigyû
(a prehistoric herbivorous marine
mammal) nicknamed Myôshii
* Four pieces of a kaigyû fossil that
were discovered during restoration
efforts at the landslide site of
Myôken-machi in 2007. The fossil
is estimated to be about 2 – 2.5
million years old.
The Entrance of the
Municipal Science
Museum, 1st Floor
Nagaoka’s Fireworks Have Deeply Taken Root among the People of Honolulu
It has been three years since the cities of Nagaoka and
Honolulu united as sister cities. Both the Official and Civic
Delegations from Nagaoka (about 90 members), led by
Mayor Mori, visited Honolulu from March 6 th to 11th and
participated in the 20th Honolulu Festival.
Mayor Mori presented a keynote speech introducing
Nagaoka’s historic One Hundred Sacks of Rice Story
and Legacy at the Japan-U.S.A. Friendship Symposium.
Nagaoka’s culture group introduced Mishima’s log
sawing, Oguni’s origami art, and Yamakoshi’s
multicolored ornamental nishikigoi carp. Many
visitors to the Nagaoka booth also enjoyed
tasting Nagaoka’s sake.
Nagaoka’s fireworks provided the finale of the festival.
The first three shots, white chrysanthemums, were
presented in memory of the victims of the attack on Pearl
Harbor and the air raid on Nagaoka, as a sign of friendship
between Japan and the U.S.A., and as our expression of the
pursuit of everlasting world peace. They were followed by
approximately 1,800 fireworks
shells launched over the course
of 20 minutes.
Mayor Caldwell (left) and
Mayor Mori (right)
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Priority Tickets for
the 2014 Nagaoka Grand Fireworks Show
Compared to past years, we are expecting the largest number of spectators to fill the Shinano Riverbank areas during
the 2014 Nagaoka Grand Fireworks Show on Saturday, August 2 nd and Sunday, August 3 rd.
The city’s residents (people with postal addresses in Nagaoka City) will have priority to purchase tickets for prepaid
areas with reserved sections. All applications will be accepted via designated return postcards and decided by lottery.
How to Apply for Priority Tickets
Five Possibilities of Getting Tickets
for Prepaid Areas with Reserved Sections:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Send in the designated return postcard (ôfuku hagaki/
おうふくはがき・往復はがき ) attached to the April issue of the
Japanese version of the city newsletter (shisei dayori/
しせいだより・市政だより ). A copy of 市政だより is distributed
to each household every month. Copies are also available
at the Nagaoka Civic Center. If you cannot get a copy of
the April issue of the Japanese city newsletter with this
return postcard, please use a standard postage-paid return
postcard available at any post office.
Detailed information about applications for priority
tickets using a return postcard will be available at the
Nagaoka City International Affairs Center, Chikyû Hiroba,
in the Nagaoka Civic Center on Ôte Street.
Applications for priority tickets only by citizens of Nagaoka
Deadline: May 13 (Tues.)
All applications will be decided by lottery.
Applications by general public including citizens of Nagaoka
June 3 (Tues.) – June 12 (Thurs.)
All applications will be decided by lottery.
Applications to claim canceled applications from above
applications will be accepted.
All applications will be decided by another lottery.
June 30 (Mon.) (tentative)
Internet purchases for unsold tickets from above 1, 2, and 3
will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
From July
Tickets can be purchased at the designated area on West
Riverside on Aug. 2 nd and 3rd on a first-come, first-served
basis.
Return
Address
Side
For further information: Matsuri Shinkô Ka
(Festival Promotion Division)
Phone: 0258-39-2221
Forward
Address
Side
A sample of a return postcard attached to the April issue of
市政だより
The 2014 Nagaoka Grand Fireworks Show Viewing Sites
Yûryô Shitei Seki
(Prepaid Areas with
Reserved Sections)
Yûryô Isu Seki
(Prepaid Areas with Chairs)
Yûryô Masu Seki
(Prepaid Areas with Plots)
Muryô Seki (Free Areas)
Phoenix Area
Yûryô Isu Seki
(Prepaid Areas with Chairs)
Track and Field Stadium
Plots
(West and East Riverbanks)
Chairs
(West Riverbanks)
Reserved for photographers
To Nagaoka IC
West
Yûryô Shitei Seki
(Prepaid Areas with Reserved
Sections)
Plots (West Riverbank)
East
Saiwai Plaza
Reserved for people with special needs
3
Sanwa
Volunteers help international residents learn
Japanese at this free program during the following
sessions:
There are collection boxes for recycling materials such
as used ink cartridges and postcards that were written on
but not sent, which can be turned in for a small refund.
Benefits from these postcards and ink cartridges will be
used to support children in Bangladesh and mine removal
operations in Cambodia, respectively.
4
5
A Guide to Cherry Blossom Viewing (Ohanami)
Fukushimae Canal
Symbolizing the arrival of spring, cherry blossom
viewing is one of the most popular spring events. There
are many cherry blossom viewing spots in Nagaoka City
and Niigata Prefecture. According to cherry blossom
forecasts, cherry blossoms this year will come out as usual
or a little earlier than usual. Here are some spots we’d
like to recommend to you. If you want to know how to
get to these cherry blossom viewing spots, please contact
the staff at the Nagaoka City International Affairs Center,
Chikyû Hiroba, on Ôte Street. (Phone: 0258-39-2714)
Yûkyûzan Park
Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots in Nagaoka City:
The Drooping Cherry Tree in
the Courtyard of the Nagaoka
Institute of Design (NID)
The approximately 11-meter tall
drooping cherry tree, estimated to
be nearly 100 years old, is splendid
swaying in the spring breeze.
(1) Yûkyûzan Park
Visitors can enjoy nearly 2,500 cherry trees in full bloom
at Yûkyûzan Park, where “Sakura Matsuri”, a special cherry
blossom festival, will be held from April 11th (Fri.) to May
6 th (Tues.). Over 500 lanterns illuminate the blossoms at
night (6:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.) and create a mystical fantasy
world.
There will be a special event entitled “Oishiimono
Hiroba,” a plaza for regional specialties, from 11:00 a.m. to
4:00 p.m. on April 19th (Sat.) and April 20 th (Sun.). Many
stores will serve dishes using locally grown or produced
ingredients.
If you are driving, please remember that the traffic around
the park is usually heavily congested and parking lots are
full during the season, especially over the weekends.
Free shuttle bus services between the park (Hyôtan Pond)
and the parking lot of the Municipal Ski Area are available
from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on April 12 th (Sat.), 13 th (Sun.),
19 th (Sat.), and 20 th (Sun.).
(2) Fukushimae Canal
Nearly 170 time-honored cherry trees, planted almost
95 years ago in the 1920s, display a spectacular view of
gorgeous blossoms. Petals falling on the water are extremely
beautiful and fascinate many visitors every season. Come
and enjoy the sight of illuminated blossoms reflecting off the
water.
(3) Cherry Blossom Lane on the Shinano Riverbank
(4) Kaki River (Kakigawa)
(5) Nagaoka Technical High School Grounds
(Nagaoka Kôgyô Kôkô Gurando)
(6) Nagaoka University of Technology Campus
(Nagaoka Gijutsu Kagaku Daigaku Kônai)
(7) The Senshûgahara Furusato no Mori Area
(8) Imamiya Park (Heijima-machi)
Many cherry trees are planted all around the park. It
would be wonderful to enjoy playing baseball or soccer and
having barbecues surrounded by beautiful cherry trees.
(9) Kôrinji Temple (Kumoide)
This temple is well-known for its time-honored shidarezakura (a drooping cherry tree).
6
Spots in Nagaoka City and Niigata Prefecture
The Tulip Festival
April 26 th (Sat.) – May 11 th (Sun.)
April: 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
May: 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Over 190,000 tulip plants of 140 species
Echigo Kyûryô Kôen (Echigo Hillside Park)
Phone: 0258-47-8001
Movies
The Tochio Temari Festival
May 1 st (Thurs.) – 5 th (Mon./Holiday)
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Jôanji Temple
A temari is an ornamental cloth ball that is handmade with
brightly colored silk threads. Many colorful cloth balls are
on display. Visitors can enjoy the exhibit of temari with
various creative patterns as well as quizzes related to temari.
This is a great opportunity for you to appreciate a part of
traditional culture handed down among the people of Tochio.
* HAMLET (Japan 2008)
April 19 (Sat.) 1:00 p.m. – 4:05 p.m.
For further information: Tochio Sisho Shôkô Kankô Ka
* YAMA (coal mine) ni IKIRU (Japan 2004)
(Commerce, Industry, and Tourism
May 14 (Wed.) 2:00 p.m. – 3:20 p.m.
Division, Tochio Branch Office)
* DES FLEURS POUR ALGERNON (France, Switzerland 2006)
Phone: 0258-52-5827
May 25 (Sun.) 2:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Nagaoka Central Library Hall
1-chôme, Gakkô-chô
Phone: 0258-32-0658
Admission: Free
7
Major Emergency Medical Facilities
Nagaoka Station
Major General Hospitals
Nagaoka Chûô Sôgô Byôin (Central General Hospital) 0258-35-3700
Nagaoka Sekijûji Byôin (Red Cross Hospital)
0258-28-3600
Tachikawa Sôgô Byôin (General Hospital)
0258-33-3111
Nagaoka Kenkô (Civic Health) Center
0258-32-5000
2-5-1 Nishi Senju
Facilities
Nagaoka Kenkô (Civic Health ) Center
Shiyakusho (City Office) Street
Ôte Ôhashi Chôsei
Bridge
Bridge
Technical
High School
Saiwai
Former
City Office
Plaza
Shinano River
Nagaoka Kenkô (Civic Health ) Center
Departments
Clinic for Sundays, Holidays, and Nights
(0258-37-1199)
Internal Medicine
(Naika)
For obstetrics and gynecology (san fujin ka),
the staff at this facility will give information
about which clinic is assigned for each Sunday
or holiday.
Pediatrics
(Shônika)
Surgery
(Geka)
Dentistry
(Shika)
Pediatrics
(Shônika)
Dental Clinic for Sundays and Holidays
(0258-33-9644)
Chûetsu Center for Children’s Emergency Treatment
(0258-86-5099)
Hours
(Monday – Friday) 6:45 p.m.
(Sundays and Holidays) 9:00 a.m.
1:00 p.m.
(Sundays and Holidays) 9:00 a.m.
1:00 p.m.
(Sundays and Holidays) 9:00 a.m.
1:00 p.m.
(Sundays and Holidays) 9:00 a.m.
1:00 p.m.
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
9:30 p.m.
11:30 a.m.
4:30 p.m.
11:30 a.m.
4:30 p.m.
11:30 a.m.
4:30 p.m.
11:30 a.m.
3:30 p.m.
(Monday – Saturday) 6:45 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Cancer Risk Examination Recommended
It is reported that one out of every three people dies of
cancer in Japan. Early detection of the disease can save 90% of
patients. As the first step, you are advised to have a cancer risk
examination while you are still in good health. It is usually too
late to completely overcome the disease once you are able to
detect some symptoms on your own. Over 800 people died of
stomach cancer in Nagaoka in the five years since 2008.
Cancer risk examinations are to find out whether you are
likely to develop cancer or not. A simple blood test can detect
your probability of developing cancer by checking for the
presence of Helicobacter pylori, a type of bacteria believed to
cause stomach inflammation and cancer.
The city also offers group cancer examinations. Detailed
information about public facilities and dates for group cancer
examinations or other medical institutions for individual
examinations can be found in the booklet entitled「長岡市健康
カレンダー」 /Nagaoka Shi Kenkô Karendâ (Nagaoka City Health
Calendar). This booklet is written only in Japanese.
Dr. Takashi Tomidokoro
A Specialist in Cancer Prevention
Vice Director of
Nagaoka Chûô Sôgô Hospital
Q: The stomach cancer risk
examination sounds scary.
A: It’s a simple blood test.
You don’t have to drink any barium or have an
endoscopy test.
Q: What can the stomach cancer risk examination detect?
A: It can detect the existence of Helicobacter pylori,
stomach inflammation, and the condition of the
stomach. It is Not an examination to detect diseases.
For further information: Kenkô Ka
(Health Division)
Phone: 0258-32-5000
For assistance: Nagaoka City International Affairs Center,
Chikyû Hiroba
Phone: 0258-39-2714
Q: How much does the examination cost?
A: Medical institutions in the city can offer the examination for ¥4,100 (plus tax).
Nagaoka Mon, Nagaoka’s Special Products
Badminton Rackets by YONEX Co. Ltd.
This section is part of a series that introduces highquality products and technologies developed exclusively
by various local industrial corporations.
Many top athletes around the world enjoy using
YONEX badminton rackets, which reached a smash speed
of 493 kilometers per hour in 2013 and rewrote the record
in the Guinness Book of World Records.
The company started producing wooden badminton
rackets in 1957. Their turning point arrived when they
pioneered the implementation of carbon fiber in badminton
Apology
rackets. Currently YONEX badminton rackets weigh
approximately 80 grams, which is ideal for effective
smashing. In order to make the strongest rackets, air
resistance and center of gravity are adjusted by layering,
coiling, and heating up carbon fibers.
Their carbon-utilizing technologies are also used in
producing tennis rackets and snowboards. With their
earnest determination to create the best quality products,
the company continues to develop high-quality products
that are valued by top athletes.
The May issue of Konnichiwa Nagaoka will be published on May 15 th at the latest. The reason for this delay is that there
will not be sufficient business days during Golden Week, a week full of national holidays. The editor would like to apologize
for any inconveniences that may be caused by the delay.
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